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Racial epithets painted on the walls of every room, the home of an African-American family was ransacked and left in an unlivable condition. The investigators are calling it a crime of pure hate. Kathy Vara reports from Alhambra for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Oct. 22, 2013. (Published Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013)

Thieves stole guns and painted racial slurs on walls inside an Alhambra home in what an investigator called "one of the worst" hate crimes he has seen in more than two decades on the job.

The intruders painted racial slurs on walls, dumped food on floors, broke televisions and cabinets, and poured out bleach and vinegar.

"This is one of the worst things I've seen in 24 years," said Alhambra Sgt. Jerry Johnson. "I've never seen anything worse than what I've seen in that house."

The family was still not allowed back into the home Tuesday, the vandalism so destructive.

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Four guns were stolen from the home, which the vandals likely entered through an unlocked back door to the residence, rented by a black family. Family members are staying with friends as authorities conduct the investigation.

The house, about 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, was unoccupied at the time.

"Super quiet, super safe," is how David Southard described the neighborhood where he grew up. "I walk through here every morning and you rarely see anything going on," he said.